If you are a veteran that was disabled during your time in the service, the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant may pertain to you. If you need a home with special adaptations, this grant can help you get just what you need. Whether you already own a home or you need to make changes to your existing home, this grant can help.
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Defining the Specially Adapted Housing Grant
The Specially Adapted Housing Grant helps you make your home accessible. Whether you need to modify the home you live in how or you want to build a home from scratch. You can even buy an existing home and use the funds to modify it to make it more accessible to meet your needs.
How to Qualify for SAH Grants
Qualifying for the SAH Grant is not based on your financials. Rather, it is based on the depth of your injuries and/or disability.
In order to qualify, you’ll need to have lost the use of both legs or arms, during your service time or as a result of your service. You also qualify if you have lost your vision as well as the use of one arm or leg or if you lost the use of both one arm and one leg during your service time or because of it. Lastly, if you have severe burns due to your time in the service, you may qualify for the grant.
What Can you Receive
As long as you meet the disability requirements and you plan to use the funds to fix your existing home or a home you plan to buy, you may receive a total of 3 SAH grants in your lifetime. The maximum amount you can receive over your lifetime is $81,080.
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Keep in mind that the SAH Grant is only available to 30 veterans per fiscal year. Once the cap is reached, veterans cannot access the grant money. If that happens, you are able to reapply during the next fiscal year or any year after that assuming that the cap has not been reached at that point.
What Can you Do With the Funds?
Once you receive the funds, you can make a variety of changes to almost any area of your home. The most common areas include the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen. You can renovate those areas to make them easier for you to maneuver and function on a daily basis.
You can also make changes to the exterior of the home. A few of the changes you can make include adding a ramp to make entry and exit easier; adding a covered porch; and adding an accessible garage. You can also add driveways and sidewalks that are easier to navigate as well as security items.
How to Get the SAH Grant
If you think you qualify for the SAH Grant, you must complete VA Form 26-4555. Once you complete the form, you can mail it to VA center. If you prefer, you can fill out the form online. At any time, a representative from the VA Center can help you with questions in completing the form.
Overall, if you were disabled in the military, you may be able to get financial assistance to make your home accessible. However, it must be feasible medically for you to live in the home in order to receive the grant. There is no time limit on when you must use the funds, but you’ll want to apply for the grant before the cap for the year is met.
